Ribérac

{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;" |- |colspan=2|Arms |- | Vassal of | Mordeaux |- | Status | See (Barony) |- | Location | Eastern Mordeaux,
West of Tuscana |- | Area | approximately 1/12 of Mordeaux. |- | Geography | Hilly sheep country. |- | Population | 50ppm |- | Urbanisation
| 9% (Average) |- | Major Towns
| Fouleix (1,500)
Chourgnac (1,500) |- | Languages
–Lalange
–Common
–Eloran
–Tuscanan
–Elvish
–Reichspiel

–Literacy |
98%
50%
20%
40%
2%
2%

8% (mostly clergy)
|- | Exports
| Wool, Cloth
|- | Imports
| Metals
|- |}

Overview

Ribérac is hilly sheep country, pastoral and peaceful. The people are shepherds and small farmers, and are both profoundly religious and fatalistic. Each village is led by Shepherds, a type of Raphaelite priest, who take an active and empathic role in caring for their community. Shepherds are responsible for the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of their flock, and gently encourage those who stray to return to the fold. In both large and small communities, the priests mingle with the laity, and religious symbols are ubiquious. Hierarchical distinctions are frowned upon, and good works expected from all people. Thus, it is possible that the woman dressed in homespun and carrying the bushel of apples from market may well turn out to be the Abbess. It is said that crime is nearly non-existent, and that most criminals are foreigners from Tuscana, but the authorities acknowledge that anyone may temporarily fall from grace, and accept atonement through hard work in lieu of punishment, for the truly repentant.

Places of Interest

• Chateaux d'Ribérac. The noble and incorruptible soul of Ribérac, where the primary noble line lives. This Chateaux is half a day's ride from Fouleix.

• Fouleix. This town is the administrative centre of Ribérac. Instead of a traditional Raphaelite Abbey, the entire town is technically under canon law. As the monastic precepts primarily revolve around "love thy neighbour" and "turn the other cheek", and marriage is encouraged amongst the priests, the distinction betwen the clergy and the laity is blurred. Most people in Fouleix receive at least basic theological training, and many become priests.

People

• Reverend Marshal Martine de Ribérac, Raphaelite Abbess of Fouleix and current administrator of Ribérac. The Reverend Canon comes from a noble family, and her family has ruled Ribérac for several hundred years. She is a wise physician and healer, and is said to be able to perform miraculous healing for the faithful, including curing leprosy and blindness. She will usually not resurrect except for the Church.
• Sir Geyrac de Ribérac. Head of the de Ribérac extended family. This Raphaelite knight was once a worthy (if not exceptional) warrior, but now turns to politics in his dotage. While pleasant and charming, compassionate and sincere, he is also ruthless in the protection of his people, and the peace of Ribérac.
• Siorac de Ribérac. Chief Shepherd of Ribérac. Martine's older brother, Siorac is said to be her primary advisor. He stays out of the public eye, instead working tirelessly to co-ordinate and educate the Shepherds to care for their people.